Dietary Effects of Desmodium (Desmodium adscendens) Leaves on the Reproductive Indices in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Broodstock

The effects of sweetheart plant (Desmodium adscendens) leaf powder on the reproductive indices of Clarias gariepinus was investigated in this study. 30 Male C. gariepinus (mean weight 325.7 ±7.50g) and 30 female C. gariepinus (mean weight 330.97 ± 2.31g) were used for the experiment. Five diets with a crude protein of 40% were formulated with inclusion level of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0g of Desmodium adscendens leaf powder per 100g of basal feed designated as D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 respectively. The fish were stocked in 20 concrete tanks (2m × 2m × 1.5m) at 3 fish/tank and water level maintained at 1m throughout. Male and female fish were stocked separately. The fish were fed at 3% body weight twice between 0800 and 1700 hours daily for 56 days. Male C. gariepinus broodstock fed 1.5 g of Desmodium adscendens leaf powder per 100g of basal feed had significantly higher (P<0.05) sperm counts, percentage motility and milt volume. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the weight of ovaries of female fish. The inclusion level of 1.5g and 2.0g of D. adscendens powder in 100g of basal feed improved the pro-fertility of male and female brood stock respectively.